Membership Benefits Overview
Membership with the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is tailored to your role within special education and where you are on your professional journey. We understand that our members have unique needs, and our memberships are crafted to meet you where you are.
Let’s get started!
| Explore Benefits | |
|---|---|
| Activate Your Membership | View PDF |
| Member Profile Management Instructions | View PDF |
| CEC Member Insurance Programs | View Page |
| Connecting With Others | View Section |
| Accessing Resources & Tools | View Section |
| Getting Your Professional Development Hours | View Section |
| Information and Research | View Section |
| Policy and Advocacy | View Section |
| Standards and Accreditation | View Section |
| Your Membership Benefits At-A-Glance | View Section |
Activate Your Membership
For step-by-step instructions on activating your existing CEC membership, follow these instructions.
Manage Your Member Profile
To manage your member profile so that we can provide you the best service, follow these instructions.
Questions about CEC’s Member Insurance Policies?
Visit CEC’s Member Insurance Center to learn about your policy limits, download FAQ documents, learn how to contact our vendor, and much more.
Want to know how to activate the value of your CEC membership?
Learn about your membership benefits, how to access them, ask questions, meet your peers and more! Schedule your onboarding webinar now.
Connecting With Others
CECommunity and the All-Member ForumThe CECommunity, CEC’s online members-only forum, is where thousands of your special education colleagues are here for you 24/7. No question is too big or too small! |
For questions, contact: |
Local/Regional Units & ChaptersYour Unit is here for you to connect with colleagues nearby, access local resources, engage in public policy efforts that impact your practice and your students directly, and attend local meet-ups and professional development events. |
For questions, contact: For student chapters, contact: |
Special Interest DivisionsDivisions give you access to a specialized network of peers, advanced research, additional journals, and the opportunity to dive deeply into educational areas that reflect your dedicated interests towards helping students with exceptionalities. An additional fee is required. Some Divisions have a restriction. |
For questions, contact: |
Virtual and In-Person EventsLearn and grow at your pace with virtual and in-person events from CEC. Explore the events for local, regional, national, and international events or learn on your own through the CEC Learning Library. To learn about professional development hours, click here. |
For questions, contact: In-Person Learning: |
Volunteer OpportunitiesThe Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) would not exist without the hundreds of volunteers that power our engines every day. Every volunteer is valued, enriches the organization, makes us more diverse and inclusive, and helps us advance our mission. CEC has a variety of ways for members to get involved locally and nationally, and through short- and long-term projects. |
For questions, contact: |
Accessing Resources & Tools
Learning LibraryThe CEC Learning Library has curated, on-demand courses you need to excel —in a platform that enables you to determine and reach your own learning goals. More learning opportunities are added to the Learning Library monthly. As a Full or Premier CEC Member, you can access all on-demand webinars, courses, workshops, and microlearning opportunities within the Learning Library, for free. |
For questions, contact: |
Exceptional Teacher Resource RepositoryThis database of resources is for CEC members to find peer-reviewed resources created by your fellow members that you can use in your own classroom, such as: videos, handouts, templates, instructional strategies, how-tos, etc. Everything is peer-reviewed by fellow teachers to ensure that we're highlighting not only exceptionally helpful resources, but the work of exceptional teachers. |
For questions, contact: |
Student ResourcesCheck out some curated resources below and find inspiration in the experienced words and videos from your graduate and pre-service special education peers. You can access interview hacks, job search ideas, the Career Center, and much more. |
For questions, contact: |
CEC Career CenterBrowse special education jobs and get help with career coaching, resume writing, referencing checking, and more in CEC's Career Center. |
Sales Inquiries: Other Questions: |
Special Education TODAYStay on top of news in the special education sector. From news and alerts to the President’s Monthly Newsletter and 100 Stories, you'll find lots of great news and articles that you can use in your work right now. Sign-up today or send it to your friends and colleagues! |
For questions, contact: |
Staying Ahead of the Curve
Stay ahead of the changes in special education with the CEC Blog. It’s a great place to find recent news, press releases, Special Education Today posts, and much more. Start reading today!
Getting Your Professional Development Hours
Professional DevelopmentWe offer a wide variety of professional development opportunities through webinars, online courses, in-person trainings, conferences, and more. Find out how you can learn with CEC to gain evidence-based practices for students with exceptionalities and get the answers you need. |
For questions, contact: |
CEC Convention & ExpoEach year at the CEC Convention & Expo, thousands of special education professionals from around the world come together to learn, share, grow, and connect. With hundreds of sessions on just about every topic in the field, the CEC Convention & Expo is THE professional development event for special educators to find research, tips, and strategies you can apply to supporting students with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. |
For questions, contact: |
Online LearningChoose from online events that air live or on-demand events that let you learn on your own schedule. Whether you’re looking for your own learning opportunities, creating someone else’s professional development plan, or planning for an all-staff in-service, there’s something for you. To learn about professional development hours, click here. |
For questions, contact: |
In-Person LearningWe use a variety of learning formats so you have options – not only in what you learn, but how you learn it. Our in-person trainings are designed to help practitioners translate research to practice with effective strategies that improve student outcomes. To learn about professional development hours, click here. |
In-Person Learning: |
Life Centered Education Transition Curriculum
An all-in-one set of 1,200 transition lesson plans with related tests, the Life Centered Education (LCE) is a fully online, secure transition curriculum that students and teachers can engage with 24/7. LCE’s online portal tracks and reports on progress and outcomes and is specifically designed to help meet Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals.
Information and Research
Professional JournalsTEACHING Exceptional Children features research-to-practice information and materials for the classroom, while Exceptional Children publishes research, scholarly reviews, data-based position papers, and policy analyses on the education and development of children and youth with exceptionalities.
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For questions, contact: |
High Leverage PracticesDeveloped by CEC and the Collaboration for Effective Educator Development, Accountability and Reform (CEEDAR) Center, the High-Leverage Practices (HLPs) are 22 practices that every K–12 special education teacher should master and be able to demonstrate. |
For questions, contact: CEC Member Services (888) 232-7733 service@exceptionalchildren.org Chat live using the chat feature in the bottom-right corner. |
CEC TVEach year at the annual CEC Convention & Expo, CEC TV shares the latest developments in special education research, explores new trends, and highlights the best practices dedicated to improving the success of children and youth with disabilities. |
For questions, contact: CEC Member Services (888) 232-7733 service@exceptionalchildren.org Chat live using the chat feature in the bottom-right corner. |
State of the Profession ReportThe Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)'s State of the Special Education Profession Survey provides a current snapshot of the state of the profession and serve as a data-driven foundation for CEC leadership activities in public policy, standards, and professional development. |
For questions, contact: CEC Member Services (888) 232-7733 service@exceptionalchildren.org Chat live using the chat feature in the bottom-right corner. |
Policy and Advocacy
Policy InsiderLearn about the special and gifted education issues Congress and the administration are considering by reading CEC's Policy Insider. Sign up today to receive weekly e-mail updates! |
For questions, contact: |
CEC’s Legislative Action CenterUse CEC's Legislative Action Center to take action on a number of legislative issues by filling out your information and sending a letter to your Members of Congress. |
For questions, contact: |
CEC’s Children and Youth Action NetworkCEC’s Children and Youth Action Network (CAN) is an organized group of volunteers dedicated to helping advance policy affecting students with disabilities and gifts and talents. |
For questions, contact: Kuna Tavalin Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor ktavalin@exceptionalchildren.org |
Advocacy BasicsFind out how you can advocate for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with exceptionalities and the professionals who support them 365 days a year. |
For questions, contact: Kuna Tavalin Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor ktavalin@exceptionalchildren.org |
Position StatementsOur position statements help guide the work of CEC’s policy efforts as we continue to serve as a leading voice for the field of special education. |
For questions, contact: Kuna Tavalin Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor ktavalin@exceptionalchildren.org |
Partner Solutions Directory
This online directory provides a guide to businesses, organizations, and resources that support the special education community.
Standards and Accreditation
Professional Preparation StandardsCEC's Professional Standards define the specialized expertise special education professionals must master for safe and effective practice. These standards are used to inform special educator preparation programs, accreditation organizations, and credentialing agencies. As the recognized leader for special education professional standards, CEC develops standards, ethics, practices, and guidelines to ensure that special educators are better prepared for successful, long-term careers. |
For questions, contact: |
Program Review and National RecognitionFor our program recognition work, we partner with the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Programs pursuing CAEP Accreditation that engage in the specialized professional association (SPA) program review process seek National Recognition by demonstrating mastery of the CEC Standards. |
For questions, contact: Brad Duncan Director of Professional Standards bduncan@exceptionalchildren.org |
CEC AccreditationAccreditation is built upon CEC’s history of National Recognition as a SPA (Specialized Professional Association) and to create an accreditation process that is a robust, targeted approach focused on developing candidate proficiencies, candidate performance on CEC standards, public accountability, and contextual indicators of quality in alignment to the existing CEC Professional Preparation Standards. |
For questions, contact: Brad Duncan Director of Professional Standards bduncan@exceptionalchildren.org |
Your Membership Benefits At-A-Glance
For Professional Premier members, to access a copy of your Professional Educator Liability Insurance Policy, click here.
| Premier | Full | Basic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 Professional Educator Liability Insurance Policy | Included | ||
| Webinar Access | All live and pre-recorded webinars | All pre-recorded webinars | Access to CEC’s Quick Takes series and limited webinars |
| Professional Journals | Print and online access | Print and online access | Online access only |
| Access to join Special Interest Divisions | x | x | x |
| Special Education Today, our weekly newsletter | x | x | x |
| Access to CECommunity and the All-Member Forum | x | x | x |
| Members-Only Discounts for Professional Development, Publications, Events and more. | x | x | x |
| Complimentary membership in local/regional Unit | x | x | x |
| Preferred pricing on membership insurance programs | x | x | x |
| Access to the CEC Career Center | x | x | x |
| Complimentary e-Book from the CEC Store | x | x |
To access a copy of your Student Educator Liability Insurance Policy, click here.
| Premier | Full | Basic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1 Million Student Educator Liability Insurance Policy | Included | ||
| Webinar Access | All live and pre-recorded webinars | All pre-recorded webinars | Access to CEC’s Quick Takes series and limited webinars |
| Professional Journals | Print and online access | Print and online access | Online access only |
| Access to join Special Interest Divisions | x | x | x |
| Special Education Today, our weekly newsletter | x | x | x |
| Access to CECommunity and the All-Member Forum | x | x | x |
| Members-Only Discounts for Professional Development, Publications, Events and more. | x | x | x |
| Complimentary membership in local/regional Unit | x | x | x |
| Preferred pricing on membership insurance programs | x | x | x |
| Access to the CEC Career Center | x | x | x |
| Complimentary e-Book from the CEC Store | x | x |
| Premier | Full | Basic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinar Access | All live and pre-recorded webinars | All pre-recorded webinars | Access to CEC’s Quick Takes series and limited webinars |
| Professional Journals | Print and online access | Print and online access | Online access only |
| Access to join Special Interest Divisions | x | x | x |
| Special Education Today, our weekly newsletter | x | x | x |
| Access to CECommunity and the All-Member Forum | x | x | x |
| Members-Only Discounts for Professional Development, Publications, Events and more. | x | x | x |
| Complimentary membership in local/regional Unit | x | x | x |
| Preferred pricing on membership insurance programs | x | x | x |
| Access to the CEC Career Center | x | x | x |
| Complimentary e-Book from the CEC Store | x | x |
| Premier | Full | Basic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinar Access | All live and pre-recorded webinars | All pre-recorded webinars | Access to CEC’s Quick Takes series and limited webinars |
| Professional Journals | Print and online access | Print and online access | Online access only |
| Access to join Special Interest Divisions | x | x | x |
| Special Education Today, our weekly newsletter | x | x | x |
| Access to CECommunity and the All-Member Forum | x | x | x |
| Members-Only Discounts for Professional Development, Publications, Events and more. | x | x | x |
| Complimentary membership in local/regional Unit | x | x | x |
| Preferred pricing on membership insurance programs | x | x | x |
| Access to the CEC Career Center | x | x | x |
| Complimentary e-Book from the CEC Store | x | x |
| Premier | Full | Basic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinar Access | All live and pre-recorded webinars | All pre-recorded webinars | Access to CEC’s Quick Takes series and limited webinars |
| Professional Journals | Print and online access | Print and online access | Online access only |
| Access to join Special Interest Divisions | x | x | x |
| Special Education Today, our weekly newsletter | x | x | x |
| Access to CECommunity and the All-Member Forum | x | x | x |
| Members-Only Discounts for Professional Development, Publications, Events and more. | x | x | x |
| Complimentary membership in local/regional Unit | x | x | x |
| Preferred pricing on membership insurance programs | x | x | x |
| Access to the CEC Career Center | x | x | x |
| Complimentary e-Book from the CEC Store | x | x |
| Premier | Full | Basic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinar Access | All live and pre-recorded webinars | All pre-recorded webinars | Access to CEC’s Quick Takes series and limited webinars |
| Professional Journals | Print and online access | Print and online access | Online access only |
| Access to join Special Interest Divisions | x | x | x |
| Special Education Today, our weekly newsletter | x | x | x |
| Access to CECommunity and the All-Member Forum | x | x | x |
| Members-Only Discounts for Professional Development, Publications, Events and more. | x | x | x |
| Complimentary membership in local/regional Unit | x | x | x |
| Preferred pricing on membership insurance programs | x | x | x |
| Access to the CEC Career Center | x | x | x |
| Complimentary e-Book from the CEC Store | x | x |
| Premier | Full | Basic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinar Access | All live and pre-recorded webinars | All pre-recorded webinars | Access to CEC’s Quick Takes series and limited webinars |
| Professional Journals | Print and online access | Print and online access | Online access only |
| Access to join Special Interest Divisions | x | x | x |
| Special Education Today, our weekly newsletter | x | x | x |
| Access to CECommunity and the All-Member Forum | x | x | x |
| Members-Only Discounts for Professional Development, Publications, Events and more. | x | x | x |
| Complimentary membership in local/regional Unit | x | x | x |
| Preferred pricing on membership insurance programs | x | x | x |
| Access to the CEC Career Center | x | x | x |
| Complimentary e-Book from the CEC Store | x | x |